Sunday, January 27, 2008

New York Times Bestselling Picture Books

Wow…nothing like a snazzy sticker to boost sales! All four Caldecott Honor Books made it into the top 10 this week. But where is The Invention of Hugo Cabret , the medal winner? No worries! Selznick’s absolutely wonderful fantastic amazing book is on the chapter book list because it’s not a picture book, which makes it even so much cooler that it won the Caldecott this year.

Gallop remains in the top spot this week, its 10th time on the list. If you haven’t seen this book yet, I urge you to check it out. This book is amazing! By flipping through you book you can see a horse galloping, an eagle soaring, and many other animals in movement. The content rhymes and has funny replies that will leave your child laughing.

This Caldecott Honor Book and Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book debuts at number 2. In my opinion, this is another must have for a small child in your life. Through die-cuts and rich, vibrant illustrations, Seeger presents a series of “first/then” scenarios (egg/chicken; tadpole/frog; seed/flower).

Smash! Crash! by Jon Scieszka. Illustrated by David Shannon, Loren Long and David Gordon.

Scieszka’s newest book remains at #3 in its second week on the list. Smash! Crash! kicks off Scieska’s Trucktown series for preschool/kindergarten-aged children. If you have a child in your life who loves trucks and who loves to smash things together, he/she will be delighted as Jack Truck and Dump Truck Dan smash and crash through the town.

The second Caldecott Honor Book on the list this week, Knuffle Bunny Too is the follow up to Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale . Here, little Trixie goes to school and discovers that her beloved Knuffle Bunny is NOT the only one in the world…oh boy. Willems illustrations and story had ME laughing out loud more than once. If you’re unfamiliar with Knuffle Bunny or Willems’ other works, I highly recommend you check him out. The honor propelled this book back on the list for the 12th time.

Dropping three spots in its ninth week, this book would be a great gift for a High School Musical fan in your life. It looks like a scrapbook made by someone who goes to the school with ticket stubs, pictures, notes in lockers, etc. It would be especially good for a reluctant pre-teen reader.

The third Caldecott Honor Book on the list this week, The Wall debuts in the sixth spot. In this fascinating autobiographical picture book, Sis recounts his childhood growing up in Cold-War era Prague.

With its third appearance in the top 10, the only words in this book are from an invented alphabet. In the book, an immigrant leaves his family behind to start a new life in a new country. Haunting, emotional, hopeful…these are only a few words to describe this captivating book.

Another Caldecott Winner, Henry’s Freedom Box tells the true story of a slave, Henry “Box” Brown, who mailed himself to freedom in a packing crate with the help of the Underground Railroad. One more must-have in my opinion.

In its first week on the list, this is a surprisingly heartwarming story of a Buddist panda who encourages his nephew and friends to help a grouchy neighbor. They’re surprised by what they get in return.

This week's rankings reflect book sales for the week ending January 19, 2008. Check out the New York Times' Children's Book Pagefor this week's bestselling children's chapter, paperback, and series books.

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